Fauna

There is a wide variety of wildlife. Nevertheless, birds are, no doubt, the most popular group, since around 123 species can be seen here. Small-sized birds live in the woodlands, such as the great tit (Parus major), the long-tailed tit (Aegithalos caudatus), the Eurasian jay (Garrulus glandarius) and the red crossbill (Loxia curvirostra). Other bigger birds such as the booted eagle (Aquila pennata), the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), the northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) and the Eurasian sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) lurck during the day. 

In the night, the tawny owl or brown owl (Strix aluco) and the Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) do the same. The presence of both the Euroasian eagle-owl and the golden eagle has been the reason why  European regulations declared this region as ‘Special Protection Area’ (SPA).

Among the 38 species of mammals, the ones which stand out the most are the Espuña squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris subspecies hoffmanni), the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), the wild boar (Sus scrofa), the garden dormouse (Eliomys quercinus), and the European wildcat (Felis Silvestris); but also several species of mustelids like the beech marten (Martes foina). In addition, there are, at least, 18 species of bat listed. 

Another relevant species in the Park is the arruis or barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia), intruduced in 1970 for hunting purposes.

Among the invertebrates, there are unique species such as the Spanish argus (Aricia morronensis) which is a butterfly endemic to the Park.

Among the 7 species of amphibians, we can find the natterjack toad (Bufo camalita) and the Betic midwife toad (Alytes dickhilleni). The diversity of reptiles life includes, among others, the ocellated lizard (Timon lepidus), the lataste´s viper (Vipera latastei) and the Monpellier snake (Malpolon monspessulanus).